ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5312

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 9, 2021

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5312.

     This bill provides that, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, all candidates for teaching certification who have completed an educator preparation program at a commissioner-approved educator preparation program provider must have satisfactorily completed a course or training on culturally responsive teaching. 

     The bill further requires that all commissioner-approved educator preparation program providers review and update their educator preparation programs to implement the bill’s requirements and submit the revisions to the Department of Education for approval.

     The bill defines “culturally responsive teaching” to mean: a pedagogy that recognizes the importance of including students’ cultural references in all aspects of learning, and which uses research-based teaching strategies that make meaningful connections between what students learn in school and their cultures, languages, and experiences.

      As reported by the committee, this bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 2834, which was also reported by the committee on this same date.